Anniversary Trip

Thursday, October 06, 2011

Anniversary Trip

Around our first anniversary (nine years ago) I got this notion that I wanted to go horseback riding. I had been as a child, and wanted to go again. Andrew considered that option as an anniversary gift, then wisely opted to get me something else: my first digital camera. Every so often the idea of horseback riding comes up and I wonder why we still haven't done it. After all - I've been asking to go (maybe once every year or two) since our first anniversary!

In looking at the calendar, I didn't know how we would possibly squeeze out the time to celebrate our anniversary. When my back went out, requiring me to miss school, Andrew to miss work, and our boys to get farmed out to family, I thought for sure whatever slim chance we had of a special anniversary had flown out the window. But as the day approached I decided that ten years is a BIG DEAL and even if it was simple, we needed to do something memorable.

I asked my sister to arrange for us to use her condo so that Andrew and I could get away for a night. Then I told Andrew that we needed to plan something to do on our getaway. And that is how it came to be that we went horseback riding! It was the PERFECT time of year for it and a beautiful area. We had a wonderful time!

Horseback riding kicked off our two days together. After that we enjoyed a great BBQ lunch, drove out to Strawberry, and checked into our "home away from home". We enjoyed Chinese food for dinner, played air hockey, swam and enjoyed the hot tub.

After sleeping in and lounging around the condo all morning, we drove up to cascade springs. My mom used to take me there when I was young. Even though it was a place I once visited regularly, I realized that I probably hadn't been there in more than 20 years! (When did I get old enough to have multiple memories of a place I haven't been to in that long!) I LOVED the fall colors. I kept telling Andrew it was a perfect anniversary trip because everything was SO fall! I wanted a fall wedding and have always been a little bitter that September 29 of 2001 was such a warm, summery day.

The entire trip was wonderful. Andrew and I have never been away together for more than a night at a time. I am always AMAZED at what a difference just one night can make. By the time we were heading home, I was glad to be getting back to my boys. But they are growing up and didn't seem to miss us at all. Maybe next time we'll stay away for a second night!

1 comment:

KristaOctober 10, 2011 at 10:28 AM
Looks like fun! Congrats on 10 years! :)
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Family Proclamation

The First Presidency and Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

We, the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator's plan for the eternal destiny of His children.All human beings—male and female—are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny. Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose.In the premortal realm, spirit sons and daughters knew and worshiped God as their Eternal Father and accepted His plan by which His children could obtain a physical body and gain earthly experience to progress toward perfection and ultimately realize his or her divine destiny as an heir of eternal life. The divine plan of happiness enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave. Sacred ordinances and covenants available in holy temples make it possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally.The first commandment that God gave to Adam and Eve pertained to their potential for parenthood as husband and wife. We declare that God's commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force. We further declare that God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife.We declare the means by which mortal life is created to be divinely appointed. We affirm the sanctity of life and of its importance in God's eternal plan.Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. "Children are an heritage of the Lord" (Psalms 127:3). Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, to teach them to love and serve one another, to observe the commandments of God and to be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. Husbands and wives—mothers and fathers—will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations.The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity. Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners. Disability, death, or other circumstances may necessitate individual adaptation. Extended families should lend support when needed.We warn that individuals who violate covenants of chastity, who abuse spouse or offspring, or who fail to fulfill family responsibilities will one day stand accountable before God. Further, we warn that the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets.We call upon responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society.

This proclamation was read by President Gordon B. Hinckley as part of his message at the General Relief Society Meeting held September 23, 1995, in Salt Lake City, Utah.